The Rosette Nebula

The Rosette Nebula is a large spherical H II region located in the constellation Monoceros, approximately 5,000 light-years from Earth. The nebula spans about 130 light-years in diameter.

About This Image

This image showcases the stunning structure of the Rosette Nebula:

• Hollow Center: Cavity carved out by stellar winds from young stars
• Open Cluster NGC 2244: Young stars responsible for illuminating the nebula
• Elephant Trunk Structures: Dense pillars of gas resisting erosion
• Rich Red Emission: Dominant hydrogen-alpha emission

Imaging Details

• Winter Target: Best imaged during northern winter months
• Total Integration: 7 hours
• Narrowband Enhanced: Ha/OIII dual narrowband filter

Formation and Structure

The stars in NGC 2244 formed from the nebula's material approximately 4 million years ago. Their intense radiation and stellar winds have cleared out the central cavity, pushing material outward to create the characteristic ring shape.

The Elephant Trunks

Like the famous Pillars of Creation in M16, the Rosette Nebula contains numerous elephant trunk structures—dense columns of gas and dust that resist the erosive effects of stellar radiation. These regions may be sites of ongoing star formation.

Processing Challenge

The Rosette Nebula is relatively faint and benefits greatly from narrowband imaging, even with a color camera. The large angular size (over 1 degree) makes it an ideal target for wide-field astrophotography.

Personal Notes

This was one of my most challenging targets due to its faintness and the need to manage moonlight contamination. The 7-hour integration time was spread across three nights to capture the subtle outer details and faint oxygen emission regions.